Sadly they do not come in a size that will fit a freak like me. Other than that a great idea!

What do you mean? The coveralls? I've seen them in HUGE sizes and they also sell them for kids. There should be one to fit anyone.Clear skies!Thomas, Denmark

I checked the site. No luck. I am 1.98 meters tall and 172 kg. I used to play Rugby Union and have the thighs, arms, chest, and sadly now the now beer belly due to lack of exercise to keep it off to prove it. I have yet to find a jumper or coverall that will fit me comfortably. Heck I have trouble finding trousers that fit me comfortably even at the freakishly tall and fat shops.

Played eight years in the US. 1.8m and now nearly 16 stone myself. Played loosie when I was fit.

Sadly they do not come in a size that will fit a freak like me. Other than that a great idea!

What do you mean? The coveralls? I've seen them in HUGE sizes and they also sell them for kids. There should be one to fit anyone.Clear skies!^Thomas, Denmark

I checked the site. No luck. I am 1.98 meters tall and 172 kg. I used to play Rugby Union and have the thighs, arms, chest, and sadly now the now beer belly due to lack of exercise to keep it off to prove it. I have yet to find a jumper or coverall that will fit me comfortably. Heck I have trouble finding trousers that fit me comfortably even at the freakishly tall and fat shops.[/quote]

Played eight years in the US. 1.8m and now nearly 16 stone myself. Played loosie when I was fit.[/quote]

They make big and tall sizes though the stock varies on internet sales sites. I have seen them up to 5xlt

I use ski pants for my lower torso. Wht gets cold on me are my hands and feet. For my hands, I wear silk gloves and use HotsnapsZ which are reusable by boiling. I keep them in my hoodie front pocket. For my feet, I use 2 or 3 pairs of socks with fleeced lined boots. Since I do all of my observing from my driveway, frequent trips back into the warm house lenghtens the time I can spend outside. However, when the temp is below 32, I just do not go out.jim

As an avid Northeast fisherman and outside field technician I have learned that proper layering is the most effective way for me to stay warm. I am a big fan of Under Armor cold gear as a base layer. The synthetic material really works as advertised. It cuts down on the bulk and you can add or eliminate outer layers as conditions change without over heating. It can be a little pricey but so few things perform as advertised that I think it is worth the expense.

The down-filled ones used by high-altitude mountaineers, by far. But they'll set you back the better part of $1,000, which is totally unnecessary.

In practice, just about any insulated bibs or coveralls are fine for the kinds of temperatures found in the Lower 48. Personally, I vastly prefer bibs; they're easy-on, easy-off, less restrictive than coveralls, and do the all-important job of keeping your legs and abdomen warm equally well. Add long underwear and/or lined pants if you still feel any cold at all on your legs.

You still need a good down jacket over the coveralls anyway; it's easy to find clothes that will keep your torso, arms, and head warm. If your down jacket isn't warm enough, use two nested. The beauty of down is that it's compressible, and therefore doesn't restrict movement at all.

I also prefer lightweight bibs used by skiers and snowmobilers, with thin, flexible outer surfaces, to the heavy versions by Carhart or Dickies. The latter are great if you're a construction worker, but astronomers don't put the kind of wear on their clothing that manual laborers do.

I had to install security equipment in an industrial freezer years ago. The temp was around 20-30 below F. The first day we couldn't stand to work for more than 10 minutes without "warming" up outside in the balmy 10F sun. That night someone suggested Carhart Arctic gear and I found it locally. The next day I could work for over an hour in the freezer. I have had the for 6+years and they are like new.

And I am 6'3", they are actually long enough for someone at least a few inches taller.

A lot excellent advice has been posted here.But, simply in the interest of science, it appears thatdisproportionate heat loss via the head is being debunked by more modern research. Recent studies are showing that heat loss isroughlyproportional to the area of exposed skin across the body. (WebMD, BBC).The BBC article is particularly interesting in its reporting about loss of core temperature. Bottom line....still do make sure your head is well covered!The comment made about using a parka should also be noted because of the added protection they provide for the neck area...as well as additional protection for the head.Me? I'm a cold weenie. I've tried almost everythingmentioned aboveexcept electric jackets and still have a problem. Moving south might be my only hope.

I dunno if Dick's Sporting Goods still has them, but several years back I bought a pair of skier's winter bib overalls for $39.00. They tend to run smaller than the marked size, but they really have kept my legs and lower torso warm observing at +15F.

As an ex-smoker, I suffer from poor circulation, especially in my hands. My answer there is my 4-part 'system'. Silk skier's glove liners inside Nike runners' gloves first. If it's breezy, first a pair of nitrile mechanics' disposable gloves to block the wind; they hold sweat, so don't remove them until you're inside. Finally, a pair of too-large battery-warmed gauntlets that I keep by my chair. Leave them on medium heat when you start observing, and they'll feel toasty warm when you pull them on to warm your hands for a minute or two.

Bibs and coveralls are never a bad idea, but staying truly warm starts against the skin. I've been an avid outdoorsman my entire life, spending long weekends sleeping in the snow backpacking, bushcrafting, rock climbing, fishing, etc. So by proxy I already have the gear I need to stay warm in some of the coldest weather.

First off, I don't buy the insulated versions as they are bulky and if you get overheated there is little you can do to remedy the situation, sweating is TONS worse than being a little chilled. This is my typical cold weather wear with dependencies. If I'm out and about town my outer wear will change from what it would be if I was working/bushcrafting, and that'll even be different from what I would wear backpacking.

Base layers - these are where it all starts, and it's important. I NEVER wear cotton base layers I always usesilk, polypro or polyester here. What weight base layer I wear is dependent on expected temperatures, but you can't go wrong having at minimum a couple sets of mid weight base layers. Even the cheaper Rocky brand at Wallyworld work amazingly well.

Mid layer - This is where I place my insulating layer typically consisting of wool or polyester fleece materials. Wool is much better than polyester fleece, but is also significantly more expensive. Well worth the money though, if you can afford wool then do yourself a favor, get it. I'm serious, even get the underwear if you can afford it. constantly dry jewels isa feeling I cherish to the point that every pair of cotton undies I owned got thrown in the trash over a decade ago, and I do NOT miss them lol. Please ensure to buy properly fitted clothes here because too tight and once you get enough layers on you will feel bound and restricted, too loose and they'll bunch up and create uncomfortable bulk.

Outerlayer - Once again, dependencies. If I'm running around town or hiking well groomed trails I'll wear down outer wear, yeah I know, it's insanely expensive, but NOTHING even comes close when it comes to light and comfortable warmth. You don't have to have the $150 North Face jacket either there are some department store brands and such that have one very nicely priced. First time you sit out by the telescope wearing some nice silky base layers with only a nice quality down jacket on you'll realize that you are cozy warm and almost feel naked to the point you feel you are cheating. If I'm working or bushcrafting or going to be around rugged terrain I of course have no issue grabbing my work wear, mostly Carhardt and Walls with some Dickies thrown in too.* I wear a bib overall/jacket setup rather than a coverall setup so in case I get too warm I can remove my jacket.* If not wearing down, my jacket is a Dickies work wear jacket with a Sherpa lining. I don't care for the other forms of lining, the Sherpa lining is where it's at.

FEET - Let's face it, not much ruins a night or day outside than getting cold feet. The answer is simple and has already been stated here. A nice silk liner (polyester liner socks are cheap and work fine as well.) and some good woolies. I like my smartwool socks but my gander mountain brand socks are exactly the same. But my Icebreakers socks are the best purchase I've ever made in socks.

Head - Simple, a nice fleece/wool/down beanie and you are set.

Gloves - I'm not even touching this because I've never really met two people who like the same things. I use like 5 different types of gloves depending on what I'm doing. You'll just have to find what you like. I'll offer this, I prefer to stay as thin as possibly to retain manual dexterity and I keep a hand warmer strapped around my waist.

Face - Like with gloves this is a huge matter of preference. I don't care to have much on my face, to knock off a little chill I might wear a buff, if it's really cold I'll cycle a fleece baklava over my nose off and on to warm up a little. But what goes on your face will have to be a matter of what you are comfortable with. Some people despise anything on their face. I don't blame them lol.Here is an example outfit for what I might wear out for an astrology all nighter in sub freezing temperatures.

Layer 1 = some form of silkweight base layer, preferably silk, wool or polypro (coldpruf brand are nice and inexpensive)Layer 2 = a midweight base layer, this one is typically polypro or thinner polyester fleece (I just get the mid weight Rocky brand from Wally World)Layer 3 = This depends greatly on just how cold I expect it to get, this could range from a simple T-shirt to a heavier fleece shirt on my core, I rarely wear the extra layer on my legs. What you wear here will be regulated by your personal comfort level and cold tolerance. Carry a few extras in your car and experiment until you find a comfort level.Outer layer = Since Astronomy will normally not require any bushwhacking I'm going to wear some Snow Bibs on my legs (these will be insulated, but still more comfortable than the thick workwear fabrics) Arctix makes solid quality affordable snow bibs (I've found some really nice ones at thrift stores for $1 before). As to the jacket, DOWN!!! Most certainly DOWN = Macy's has an affordable yet still quality down jacket, but shop around.Head = I wear a simple polypro beanie made by SPYDER and one by Under Armor, I've yet to find a time when I need more.Gloves = Once again there are dependencies here, I typically wear liner gloves and ahand muffaround my waist with a hot handz in it to quickly warm my hands up.Feet = I can't really advise here, I have everything from high end hiking boots to crocs. For extreme cold I find I actually like my Guide Gear rubber boots with a liner sock covered by a calf height wool sock. If it's too cold for those (I'm not sure I'd want to be out in that level of cold) I can wear my insulated hunting boots with a silk liner and calf height wool socks. My next boot purchase isgoing to be replacing my rubber bootsand insulated hunting boots with (surprise) insulated rubber hunting boots.

The reason for all this seemingly complicated style of dress is the theory that activity levels can and often do change from time to time and being chilled is better than getting sweaty because once you get sweaty enough once the cold creeps in you are done. Stay dry and your body temperature will be MUCH more easily regulated. Live, learn, love and experiment with what works for you. For me, layering passes the common sense test. I can't stand single bulky layers because they make venting a pain in the butt and are just generally uncomfortable.

I'd like tomention that I've tried several brands of hunting socks in the pastwith so-so results. Not long ago I ordered some Rohner Socks andhit a much higher level of warmth and comfort. $$$, but worth it to me.

Sadly they do not come in a size that will fit a freak like me. Other than that a great idea!

What do you mean? The coveralls? I've seen them in HUGE sizes and they also sell them for kids. There should be one to fit anyone.Clear skies!Thomas, Denmark

I checked the site. No luck. I am 1.98 meters tall and 172 kg. I used to play Rugby Union and have the thighs, arms, chest, and sadly now the now beer belly due to lack of exercise to keep it off to prove it. I have yet to find a jumper or coverall that will fit me comfortably. Heck I have trouble finding trousers that fit me comfortably even at the freakishly tall and fat shops.[/quote]

Played eight years in the US. 1.8m and now nearly 16 stone myself. Played loosie when I was fit.[/quote]

Cheers. Was Number 5 and 127kg when I played. Loved every minute of it until I very badly broke my tibia and fibula. Now I look back and wish I joined the Chess Club instead!

Personally I am a big fan of the wool German or Russian great coats for super cold weather with layers underneath. Less money than a North Face parka in my size for sure. But I just layer if I am out in colder than 40*F weather for longer periods. And yes it can get down to the low 20's in Sunny California. I usually do a long under shirt, shirt, sweater, barn coat on the top and long underwear, jeans, sweat pants, and double socks on the bottom. Watch cap on the head and glove liners for the hands. That keeps me going down to about 26*F. If it's windy I may opt for a scarf for the nose.

I NEVER wear cotton base layers I always usesilk, polypro or polyester here.

I don't wear cotton against my skin when backpacking, snowshoing or skiing. But I find cotton every bit as warm as polypro for sedentary activities such as stargazing, and considerably more comfortable. Getting sweaty is pretty much of a non-issue for cold-weather stargazing.

<p class="citation">QuoteWool is much better than polyester fleece, but is also significantly more expensive.[/quote]I'm surprised to hear you say that; the consensus in the outdoor community has definitely moved toward fleece in preference to wool. The claim is that it has better warm-when-wet properties.Personally, I'm a little skeptical of that claim, but fleece definitely wears a lot better. I used to wear wool all the time, before fleece was invented. It worked fine. Now I wear fleece all the time. It works fine.

Used to be layered in wool from head to toe.Did everything outdoors in it.Still have some, hanging or folded in a corner or two.

Very much prefer modern fleece over wool these days too. For me.Warm for it's weight, super easy to keep clean, cheap at secondhand stores.

You can't walk into the first one you go to, and find exactly what you need.Particularly now, in winter.Sometimes hit a few after Xmas, when folks are retiring old fleece coat/jackets.You can find some very good condition name brand stuff, in successive sizes for building your layers.For a fraction of retail price, and know it fits, layered and all, before you leave the store.